Students and Dean Eric Freedman of the Knight School of Communication with Mika and Joe of MSNBC's Morning Joe

04/22/14 -

Last Friday, Queens was privileged to welcome Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, hosts of MSNBC's Morning Joe, to Charlotte to speak to an excited crowd of students, faculty, members of The Learning Society and the general public.

In typical fashion, they bantered back and forth, telling childhood stories and sharing political opinions. At the end of the evening, audience members had the opportunity to ask Mika and Joe questions. Below is an article by Queens student, William Mandile, for The Queens Chronicle about a question asked regarding the imbalance between Mika and Joe's salaries early on in the show's history.

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Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough spoke at the Knight Theater for the annual Learning Society lecture on Thursday, April 17, addressing one audience member's question to Brzezinski about her fight for equal salary and why she trusted Scarborough to help her in that fight. Brzezinski said the most important things to keep in mind are: have the information you need, be confident and be effective.

When they began working together, Scarborough's salary was 16 times Brzezinski's salary. Brzezinski said when she first began seeking a raise, she tried to act more like Scarborough - more physical and demanding in her efforts.

"We do not overestimate ourselves," she said of women. "Men are unbelievable."

When her efforts yielded no results, Brzezinski told Scarborough she needed to leave the show. Scarborough asked her for some time before she left which led Brzezinski to believe he needed time to find a new co-host.

Instead, he had some of his bonuses transferred to her bank account. Brzezinski said she was humiliated and wanted to earn her own money. She eventually demanded she be paid the same amount as Scarborough and got the raise she wanted. She is now the highest paid female at NBC News.

Brzezinski's message is important to young people, both men and women, entering the workforce. Many recent college graduates may have a hard time advocating for themselves on the job or may not know when they are being taken advantage of.